Impact of rice GENERAL REGULATORY FACTOR14h (GF14h) on low-temperature seed germination and its application to breeding.

Direct seeding is employed to circumvent the labor-intensive process of rice (Oryza sativa) transplantation, but this approach requires varieties with vigorous low-temperature germination (LTG) when sown in cold climates. To investigate the genetic basis of LTG, we identified the quantitative trait locus (QTL) qLTG11 from rice variety Arroz da Terra, which shows rapid seed germination at lower temperatures, using QTL-seq. We delineated the candidate region to a 52-kb interval containing GENERAL REGULATORY FACTOR14h (GF14h) gene, which is expressed during seed germination. The Arroz da Terra GF14h allele encodes functional GF14h, whereas Japanese rice variety Hitomebore harbors a 4-bp deletion in the coding region. Knocking out functional GF14h in a near-isogenic line (NIL) carrying the Arroz da Terra allele decreased LTG, whereas overexpressing functional GF14h in Hitomebore increased LTG, indicating that GF14h is the causal gene behind qLTG11. Analysis of numerous Japanese rice accessions revealed that the functional GF14h allele was lost from popular varieties during modern breeding. We generated a NIL in the Hitomebore background carrying a 172-kb genomic fragment from Arroz da Terra including GF14h. The NIL showed superior LTG compared to Hitomebore, with otherwise comparable agronomic traits. The functional GF14h allele from Arroz da Terra represents a valuable resource for direct seeding in cold regions.

Immunotherapy with cancer peptides in combination with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: A phase I study using two peptide vaccines derived from M phase phosphoprotein 1 (MPHOSPH1) and DEP domain containing 1 (DEPDC1) demonstrated promising results for the treatment of advanced bladder cancer. Therefore, we further tested the ability of these peptides to prevent recurrence after transurethral resection of the bladder tumor in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 127 patients were enrolled in a multicenter, non-randomized phase II clinical trial. The primary endpoint was recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate, and secondary endpoints were safety and immunological response. HLA-A24-restricted peptides were subcutaneously administered in addition to intravesical BCG therapy. The exploratory endpoint evaluated differences of RFS rate between HLA-A*2402-positive (A24(+)) and -negative (A24(-)) groups. RESULTS: A 2-year RFS rate in all patients was 74.0%. The RFS rate in the A24(+) group (n = 75) and in the A24(-) group (n = 52) were 76.0 and 71.2%, respectively. This vaccine therapy was well-tolerated and feasible. MPHOSPH1 and DEPDC1 peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses were observed in 75.8 and 77.5% of the A24(+) group, respectively. Patients having both peptide-specific CTL responses showed significantly better RFS than patients without CTL response (P = 0.014). In the A24(+) group, patients who had positive reaction at the injection sites (RAI) had significantly lower rates of recurrence than RAI-negative patients (P = 0.0019). CONCLUSIONS: Cancer peptide vaccines in combination with intravesical BCG therapy demonstrated good immunogenicity and safety, and may provide benefit for preventing recurrence of NMIBC.

Phase I clinical trial of cell division associated 1 (CDCA1) peptide vaccination for castration resistant prostate cancer.

Cell division associated 1 (CDCA1) was screened as an oncogene that is overexpressed on several cancers, including prostate cancer. A highly immunogenic HLA-A*2402-restricted epitope peptide corresponding to part of the CDCA1 protein was also identified. A phase I clinical trial was conducted for patients with castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) using a CDCA1 peptide vaccination. Twelve patients having HLA-A*2402 with CRPC after failure of docetaxel chemotherapy were enrolled. They received subcutaneous administration of the CDCA1 peptide as an emulsion with Montanide ISA51VG once a week in a dose-escalation manner (doses of 1.0 or 3.0 mg/body, six patients received each dose). The primary endpoint was safety, and the secondary endpoints were the immunological and clinical responses. Vaccination with CDCA1 peptide was well tolerated without any serious adverse events. Peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses using ELISPOT assay and dextramer assay were observed in three patients receiving the 1.0 mg dose and five patients receiving the 3.0 mg dose. The median overall survival time was 11.0 months and specific CTL reacting to CDCA1 peptide were recognized in long-surviving patients. CDCA1-derived peptide vaccine treatment was tolerable and might effectively induce peptide-specific CTLs for CRPC patients. This novel peptide vaccine therapy for CRPC appears promising. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01225471).

Genome-wide association study identified SNP on 15q24 associated with bladder cancer risk in Japanese population.

Through genome-wide association analysis and an independent replication study using a total of 1131 bladder cancer cases and 12 558 non-cancer controls of Japanese populations, we identified a susceptibility locus on chromosome 15q24. SNP rs11543198 was associated with bladder cancer risk with odds ratio (OR) of 1.41 and P-value of 4.03 × 10(-9). Subgroup analysis revealed rs11543198 to have a stronger effect in male smokers with OR of 1.66. SNP rs8041357, which is in complete linkage disequilibrium (r(2) = 1) with rs11543198, was also associated with bladder cancer risk in Europeans (P = 0.045 for an additive and P = 0.025 for a recessive model), despite much lower minor allele frequency in Europeans (3.7%) compared with the Japanese (22.2%). Imputational analysis in this region suggested CYP1A2, which metabolizes tobacco-derived carcinogen, as a causative candidate gene. We also confirmed the association of previously reported loci, namely SLC14A1, APOBEC3A, PSCA and MYC, with bladder cancer. Our finding implies the crucial roles of genetic variations on the chemically associated development of bladder cancer.

Effective induction of cytotoxic T cells recognizing an epitope peptide derived from hypoxia-inducible protein 2 (HIG2) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Through genome-wide expression profile analysis, hypoxia-inducible protein 2 (HIG2) has previously been identified as an oncoprotein involved in development/progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We subsequently identified a highly immunogenic HLA-A*0201/0206-restricted epitope peptide (HIG2-9-4) corresponding to a part of HIG2 and applied it as a therapeutic vaccine. We conducted a phase I clinical trial using the HIG2-9-4 peptide for patients with advanced RCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients having HLA-A*0201 or HLA-A*0206 with metastatic or unresectable RCC after failure of the cytokine and/or tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapies were enrolled in this study. The patients received subcutaneous administration of the peptide as an emulsion form with Montanide ISA-51 VG once a week in a dose-escalation manner (doses of 0.5, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/body, 3 patients for each dose). The primary endpoint was safety, and the secondary endpoints were immunological and clinical responses. RESULTS: Vaccinations with HIG2-9-4 peptide could be well tolerated without any serious systemic adverse events. Peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses were detected in eight of the nine patients. Doses of 1.0 or 3.0 mg/body seemed to induce a CTL response better than did a dose of 0.5 mg/body, although the number of patients was too small to draw a firm conclusion. The disease control rate (stable disease for ≥4 months) was 77.8 %, and the median progression-free survival time was 10.3 months. CONCLUSIONS: HIG2-9-4 peptide vaccine treatment was tolerable and effectively induced peptide-specific CTLs in RCC patients. This novel peptide vaccine therapy for RCC is promising.

Phase II clinical trial of sorafenib plus interferon-alpha treatment for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma in Japan.

BACKGROUND: To improve antitumor effects against metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), use of molecular target-based drugs in sequential or combination therapy has been advocated. In combination therapy, interferon (IFN)-α amplified the effect of sorafenib in our murine model (J Urol 184:2549, 2010), and cytokine-treated mRCC patients in Japan had good prognoses (Eur Urol 57:317, 2010). We thus conducted a phase II clinical trial of sorafenib plus IFN-α for untreated mRCC patients in Japan. METHODS: In this multicenter, prospective study, provisionally registered patients with histologically confirmed metastatic clear cell RCC received natural IFN-α (3 dosages of 3 million U per week) for 2 weeks. Only IFN-α-tolerant patients were registered to this trial, and treated additionally with oral sorafenib (400 mg, bid). The primary end point of the study was rate of response (CR + PR) to sorafenib plus IFN-α treatment assessed using RECIST v1.0. The secondary end points were disease control rate (CR + PR + SD), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety of the combined treatment. PFS and OS curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: From July 2009 to July 2012, a total of 53 untreated patients were provisionally registered, and 51 patients were finally registered. Rate of Response to the combined therapy of sorafenib plus IFN-α was 26.2 % (11/42) (CR 1, PR 10). The median PFS was 10.1 months (95 % CI, 6.4 to 18.5 months), and the median OS has not been reached yet. The combined therapy increased neither the incidence of adverse effects (AE) nor the incidence of unexpected AE. A limitation was that a relatively high number of patients (9 patients) were excluded for eligibility criteria violations. CONCLUSION: Our data have demonstrated that sorafenib plus IFN-α treatment is safe and effective for untreated mRCC patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000002466 , 9(th) September, 2009.

Guidance for peptide vaccines for the treatment of cancer.

Recent progress in fundamental understanding of tumor immunology has opened a new avenue of cancer vaccines. Currently, the development of new cancer vaccines is a global topic and has attracted attention as one of the most important issues in Japan. There is an urgent need for the development of guidance for cancer vaccine clinical studies in order to lead to drug development. Peptide vaccines characteristically have the effect of indirectly acting against cancer through the immune system - a mechanism of action that clearly differs from anticancer drugs that exert a direct effect. Thus, the clinical development of cancer peptide vaccines should be planned and implemented based on the mechanism of action, which differs significantly from conventional anticancer drug research. The Japanese Society for Biological Therapy has created and published Guidance for peptide vaccines for the treatment of cancer as part of its mission and responsibilities towards cancer peptide vaccine development, which is now pursued globally. We welcome comments from regulators and business people as well as researchers in this area.

IRX4 at 5p15 suppresses prostate cancer growth through the interaction with vitamin D receptor, conferring prostate cancer susceptibility.

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified a number of prostate cancer (PC) susceptibility loci, but most of their functional significances are not elucidated. Through our previous GWAS for PC in a Japanese population and subsequent resequencing and fine mapping, we here identified that IRX4 (Iroquois homeobox 4), coding Iroquois homeobox 4, is a causative gene of the PC susceptibility locus (rs12653946) at chromosome 5p15. IRX4 is expressed specifically in the prostate and heart, and quantitative expression analysis revealed a significant association between the genotype of rs12653946 and IRX4 expression in normal prostate tissues. Knockdown of IRX4 in PC cells enhanced their growth and IRX4 overexpression in PC cells suppressed their growth, indicating the functional association of IRX4 with PC and its tumor suppressive effect. Immunoprecipitation confirmed its protein-protein interaction to vitamin D receptor (VDR), and we found a significant interaction between IRX4 and VDR in their reciprocal transcriptional regulation. These findings indicate that the PC-susceptibility locus represented by rs12653946 at 5p15 is likely to regulate IRX4 expression in prostate which could suppress PC growth by interacting with the VDR pathway, conferring to PC susceptibility.

Outcome of metastasectomy for urothelial carcinoma: a multi-institutional retrospective study in Japan.

PURPOSE: We determined prognostic factors associated with prolonged survival after metastasectomy for urothelial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 42 patients who underwent resection of urothelial carcinoma metastases with curative intent at 4 Japanese university hospitals were included in analysis. Of the patients 41 of 42 underwent systemic chemotherapy before and/or after metastasectomy. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The relationship between clinical characteristics and survival was analyzed using the log rank test. RESULTS: Metastasectomy included lymph node dissection in 20 cases, pulmonary resection in 12, pelvic exenteration in 3, resection of local recurrence in 2, resection of subcutaneous metastasis in 2, liver resection in 1 and other in 2. Median overall survival was 29 months (IQR 19-80) from the initiation of treatment for metastases and 26 months (IQR 11-90) from metastasectomy. The overall 5-year survival rate after metastasectomy was 31%. On univariate analysis patients treated with metastasectomy for a solitary lung or solitary lymph node metastasis had significantly longer survival than the others who underwent metastasectomy (81 vs 19 months, log rank test p = 0.0296). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term cancer control could be achieved in a subgroup of patients who undergo metastasectomy, especially those with a solitary lung or solitary lymph node metastasis.

Efficacy of everolimus in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma refractory or intolerant to VEGFR-TKIs and safety compared with prior VEGFR-TKI treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Everolimus is positioned as second-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma resistant to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We investigated retrospectively the efficacy and safety of everolimus in Japanese patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma in the clinical setting. METHODS: Nineteen patients who discontinued treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors because of disease progression or adverse events were administered everolimus. We evaluated progression-free survival, overall survival and tumor response rate of everolimus treatment. We also compared laboratory abnormalities and adverse events of everolimus treatment with those of prior vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors therapy. RESULTS: In all patients, median progression-free survival was 8.4 months and median overall survival was not reached at 25 months. The best objective response was complete response in 1 patient and stable disease in 15 patients. Eleven patients (58%) were intolerant and 8 (42%) were refractory to prior vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors treatment. Median overall survival was significantly longer (P < 0.01) in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor-intolerant (>25 months) than in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor-refractory subjects (4.3 months), and median progression-free survival tended to be better (P= 0.06) in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor-intolerant (10.0 months) than in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor-refractory subjects (2.5 months). Two patients discontinued everolimus treatment because of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the overall survival and progression-free survival were better in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor-intolerant than in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor-refractory subjects. The adverse event profiles of everolimus and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors were different. Patients intolerant to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors may tolerate everolimus well and have greater survival benefit from switching to everolimus than those refractory to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Plasma low-molecular-weight proteome profiling identified neuropeptide-Y as a prostate cancer biomarker polypeptide.

In prostate cancer diagnosis, PSA test has greatly contributed to the early detection of prostate cancer; however, expanding overdiagnosis and unnecessary biopsies have emerged as serious issues. To explore plasma biomarkers complementing the specificity of PSA test, we developed a unique proteomic technology QUEST-MS (Quick Enrichment of Small Targets for Mass Spectrometry). The QUEST-MS method based on 96-well formatted sequential reversed-phase chromatography allowing efficient enrichment of <20 kDa proteins quickly and reproducibly. Plasma from 24 healthy controls, 19 benign prostate hypertrophy patients, and 73 prostate cancer patients were purified with QUEST-MS and analyzed by LC/MS/MS. Among 153 057 nonredundant peptides, 189 peptides showed prostate cancer specific detection pattern, which included a neurotransmitter polypeptide neuropeptide-Y (NPY). We further validated the screening results by targeted multiple reaction monitoring technology using independent sample set (n = 110). The ROC curve analysis revealed that logistic regression-based combination of NPY, and PSA showed 81.5% sensitivity and 82.2% specificity for prostate cancer diagnosis. Thus QUEST-MS technology allowed comprehensive and high-throughput profiling of plasma polypeptides and had potential to effectively uncover very low abundant tumor-derived small molecules, such as neurotransmitters, peptide hormones, or cytokines.

Impact of four loci on serum tamsulosin hydrochloride concentration.

Tamsulosin hydrochloride is one of the most potent drugs for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), however, the efficacy of tamsulosin hydrochloride varies among individuals. In this study, we measured the maximum serum concentration (Cmax) of tamsulosin hydrochloride in 182 of BPH patients and found remarkable individual variability. To investigate the genetic factors that regulate pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin hydrochloride, we conducted a genome-wide association study in these 182 BPH patients. As a result, rs16902947 on chromosome 5p13.2, rs7779057 on 7q22.3, rs35681285 on 7p21.2 and rs2122469 on 8p21.3 indicated possible associations with Cmax of tamsulosin hydrochloride (P=1.29 × 10(-7), 2.15 × 10(-7), 4.35 × 10(-7) and 7.03 × 10(-7), respectively), although these single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) did not reach the genome-wide significance threshold after Bonferroni correction. As these associated SNPs showed additive effects on serum tamsulosin hydrochloride concentration, we defined the 'Cmax prediction index' based on genotypes of these SNPs. This index clearly associated with Cmax values (P=4.5 × 10(-6)), indicating the possible roles of these four variants in tamsulosin hydrochloride pharmacokinetics. Our findings would partially explain the variability of the response to the tamsulosin hydrochloride treatment.

Impacts of clinicopathologic and operative factors on short-term and long-term survival in renal cell carcinoma with venous tumor thrombus extension: a multi-institutional retrospective study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Although the percentage of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) extending into venous systems is unexpectedly high, the prognostic impact and independency of venous tumor thrombus-related factors on overall survival (OS) remain controversial. Furthermore, the prognostic impact of various clinicopathologic factors including tumor thrombus-related factors on OS may change with elapsed years after the intervention and also with follow-up duration of participants. The aim of the study is to explore independent and universal predictive preoperative and intraoperative clinicopathologic factors on OS in patients with RCC extending into venous systems using subgroup analysis in terms of restricted follow-up duration and yearly-based survivors. METHODS: Between 1980 and 2009, 292 patients diagnosed with RCC with venous tumor thrombus were retrospectively registered for this study. The prognostic impacts of various clinicopathologic and surgical treatment factors including levels of venous thrombus, venous wall invasion status and likelihood of aggressive cytoreductive operation, were investigated using Kaplan-Meier method and following multivariate Cox proportional hazards model for all patients and those still alive at 1, 2, and 3 years of follow-up. To investigate the impact of follow-up duration on the statistical analyses, multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore prognostic factors using restricted data until 1, 2, and 3 years of follow-up. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 40.4 months. The 5-year OS was 47.6%. Several independent predictive factors were identified in each subgroup analysis in terms of yearly-based survival and restricted follow-up duration. The presence of tumor thrombus invading to venous wall was independently related to OS in the full-range follow-up data and in survivors at 2 and 3 years of follow-up. Using restricted follow-up data until 1, 2, and 3 years of follow-up, many independent predictive factors changed with follow-up duration, but surgical category could be universal and independent predictive factors. CONCLUSION: The most universal factors affecting improvement both in short-term and long-term survivals could be cytoreductive surgery and absence of venous wall invasion. It may mean that feasible aggressive cytoreductive operation following more reliable preoperative imaging for predicting venous wall invasion status would improve OS for patients with RCC extending into venous systems.

Associations of marital status with mortality from all causes and mortality from cardiovascular disease in Japanese haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Marital status is an important social factor associated with increased mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all causes. However, there has been no study on the association of marital status with mortality in haemodialysis patients. METHODS: We analysed data from a 5-year prospective cohort study of 1064 Japanese haemodialysis patients aged 30 years or older. Marital status was classified into three groups: married, single and divorced/widowed. Cox's regression was used to estimate multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] for all-cause mortality and CVD mortality according to marital status after adjusting for age, sex, duration of haemodialysis, cause of renal failure, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, albumin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, co-morbid conditions, smoking, alcohol consumption, education levels and job status. RESULTS: Single patients had higher risks than married patients for mortality from all causes (HR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.06-2.16) and mortality from CVD (HR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.03-2.76), and divorced/widowed patients had a higher risk than married patients for mortality from CVD (HR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.15-2.60). After stratification by age, single patients aged 30-59 years had significantly higher risks for all-cause mortality and CVD mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that single status is a significant predictor for all-cause mortality and CVD mortality and that divorced/widowed status is a significant predictor for CVD mortality in haemodialysis patients.

Comparison of predictability of future cardiovascular events between chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage based on CKD epidemiology collaboration equation and that based on modification of diet in renal disease equation in the Japanese general population--Iwate KENCO Study.

BACKGROUND: Whether estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) Study equation (eGFRCKDEPI) improves risk prediction compared to that calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equation (eGFRMDRD) has not been examined in a prospective study in Japanese people. METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants (n=24,560) were divided into 4 stages (1, ≥90; 2, 60-89 (reference); 3a, 45-59; 3b+ <45 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2)) according to eGFRCKDEPI or eGFRMDRD. Endpoints were all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (95% confidence intervals) for predicting all-cause death, MI and stroke by eGFRCKDEPI vs. eGFRMDRD were 0.680 (0.662-0.697) vs. 0.582 (0.562-0.602); 0.718 (0.665-0.771) vs. 0.642 (0.581-0.703); and 0.656 (0.636-0.676) vs. 0.576 (0.553-0.599), respectively. Multivariate-adjusted Cox regression and Poisson regression analysis results were similar for adjusted incidence rates and adjusted hazard ratios in each corresponding stage between the 2 models and no differences were found in model assessment parameters. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) for predicting all-cause death, MI and stroke were estimated to be 6.7% (P<0.001), -1.89% (P=0.029) and -0.20% (P=0.421), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Better discrimination was achieved using eGFRCKDEPI than eGFRMDRD on univariate analysis. NRI analysis indicated that the use of eGFRCKDEPI instead of eGFRMDRD offered a significant improvement in reclassification of death risk.

Neoadjuvant gemcitabine plus carboplatin for locally advanced bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Although cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by cystectomy was demonstrated to improve the survival among patients with locally advanced bladder cancer, its severe adverse events, including nephrotoxicity, are critical issues. We investigated the safety and activity of carboplatin, a mild nephrotoxic agent, combined with gemcitabine as a neoadjuvant chemotherapy compared with methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin for patients with locally advanced bladder cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 68 patients with locally advanced bladder cancer who received neoadjuvant methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (n = 34) or gemcitabine and carboplatin (n = 34) followed by cystectomy at our institute. The adverse events, chemotherapy delivery profile, rate of down-stage and recurrence-free survival were assessed for methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin compared with gemcitabine and carboplatin. RESULTS: The mean cycles of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin, and gemcitabine and carboplatin, were 2.5 and 2.7, respectively. The hematologic adverse events of Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia for methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin were 15, 18 and 0%, respectively. The occurrences for gemcitabine and carboplatin were 53, 21 and 50%, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 non-hematologic toxicities for methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin were nausea and vomiting in 24%, and were not observed for gemcitabine and carboplatin. The lowest median estimated glomerular filtration rate during methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin and gemcitabine and carboplatin was 55.8 and 70.6 ml/min/1.73 m(2), respectively (P = 0.002). The rate of down-stage to pT1 or less was 59% for methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin, and 53% for gemcitabine and carboplatin (P = 0.624). The recurrence-free survival of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin, and gemcitabine and carboplatin, at 36 months from the diagnosis was 79 and 75%, respectively (P = 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant gemcitabine and carboplatin showed less non-hematologic toxicity than methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin, and especially less nephrotoxicity was demonstrated for gemcitabine and carboplatin. Although observed during the short term, the recurrence-free survival for gemcitabine and carboplatin was comparable to that for methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin.

Concurrence of villous adenoma and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer arising in the bladder: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Villous adenoma arising in the urinary tract is rare tumor. Most cases have been identified as benign neoplasm in the colon. Villous adenoma of the gastrointestinal tract is thought arise from premalignant polyps. Here, we report a case of concurrence of villous adenoma and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: An 85-year-old woman presented at our office because of gross hematuria. Cystoscopic examination detected two papillary tumors in the bladder. Each tumor was resected and diagnosed, respectively. Histopathology confirmed that the resected one tumor was a villous adenoma, and the other was urothelial carcinoma (T1, high grade). Immunostaining for cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK20 and Ki-67 confirmed that CK7: (-), CK20: (+) and Ki-67: (<=30%) in villous adenoma while CK7: (+), CK20: (+), and Ki-67: (70%) in urothelial carcinoma. Three months later from TUR, urothelial carcinoma recurred in the trigone. She received adjuvant intravesical immunotherapy with BCG post TUR for the recurrence site. CONCLUSION: There were no specific findings on ultrasonography, CT, MRI or cystoscopic examination morphologically. Therefore, pre-pathological villous adenoma of the bladder is extremely difficult to diagnose. There are some case reports of solitary villous adenoma in the bladder or with coexisting adeno carcinoma. However, to the best of our knowledge, this is only the second report of villous adenoma in the bladder of coexisting urothelial carcinoma that has been published in the literature. Premalignant villous adenoma of the bladder is extremely rare and difficult to diagnose without histologic examination. Any suspicious lesion of the bladder should be biopsied and/or resected to confirm histology.

Testis-specific protein on Y chromosome (TSPY) represses the activity of the androgen receptor in androgen-dependent testicular germ-cell tumors.

Testis-specific protein on Y chromosome (TSPY) is an ampliconic gene on the Y chromosome, and genetic interaction with gonadoblastoma has been clinically established. However, the function of the TSPY protein remains to be characterized in physiological and pathological settings. In the present study, we observed coexpression of TSPY and the androgen receptor (AR) in testicular germ-cell tumors (TGCTs) in patients as well as in model cell lines, but such coexpression was not seen in normal testis of humans or mice. TSPY was a repressor for androgen signaling because of its trapping of cytosolic AR even in the presence of androgen. Androgen treatment stimulated cell proliferation of a TGCT model cell line, and TSPY potently attenuated androgen-dependent cell growth. Together with the finding that TSPY expression is reduced in more malignant TGCTs in vivo, the present study suggests that TSPY serves as a repressor in androgen-induced tumor development in TGCTs and raises the possibility that TSPY could be used as a clinical marker to assess the malignancy of TGCTs.

Whole-genome analysis of recombinant inbred rice lines reveals a quantitative trait locus on chromosome 3 with genotype-by-environment interaction effects.

Elucidating genotype-by-environment interactions is fundamental for understanding the interplay between genetic and environmental factors that shape complex traits in crops. Genotype-by-environment interactions are of practical importance, as they determine the performance of cultivars grown in different environments, prompting the need for an efficient approach for evaluating genotype-by-environment interactions. Here, we describe a method for genotype-by-environment detection that involves comparing linear mixed models. This method successfully detected genotype-by-environment interactions in rice (Oryza sativa) recombinant inbred lines grown at 3 locations. We identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 3 that was associated with heading date, grain number, and leaf length. The effect of this QTL on plant growth-related traits varied with environmental conditions, indicating the presence of genotype-by-environment interactions. Therefore, our method enables a powerful genotype-by-environment detection pipeline that should facilitate the production of high-yielding crops in a given environment.

Prostate cancer chemoprevention study: an investigative randomized control study using purified isoflavones in men with rising prostate-specific antigen.

Our previous case-control study suggested that equol, a metabolite of isoflavone, has a preventive effect on prostate cancer. To examine the prostate cancer risk based on isoflavone intake and equol production, we carried out a phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral isoflavone (60 mg/day) for 12 months. The inclusion criteria were Japanese men between 50 and 75 years of age, a serum prostate-specific antigen level of 2.5-10.0 ng/mL, and a single, negative prostate biopsy within 12 months prior to enrollment. The study included 158 men in eight Japanese centers. Their median age was 66.0 years, and the numbers of equol producers and non-producers were 76 (48%) and 82 (52%), respectively. The majority of adverse events were mild or moderate in severity, and the scheduled intake of tablets was completed by 153 patients (96.8%). The prostate-specific antigen value showed no significant difference before and after treatment. Of the 89 patients evaluated by central pathological review, the incidence of biopsy-detectable prostate cancer in the isoflavone and placebo groups showed no significant difference (21.4%vs 34.0%, P = 0.140). However, for the 53 patients aged 65 years or more, the incidence of cancer in the isoflavone group was significantly lower than that in the placebo group (28.0%vs 57.1%, P = 0.031). These results support the value of isoflavone for prostate cancer risk reduction. A large-scale phase III randomized study of isoflavone tablets in men with different hereditary factors and living environments is warranted. Registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) for clinical trials in Japan (C000000446).